Page 3 of No Artful Refusal
Her body ached a little as she left the comfort of the rocking chair.Her search for Ginny had been intense.Still, she smiled as she answered the call.“Good morning to you.”
“Good morning, beautiful.”Marlene replied.“You sound good.Success, I assume?”
“Yes.A life saved,” Devyn replied.“Surely you knew already.”
It was highly unusual—even for two people as uniquely talented as Devyn and Marlene—but they shared a telepathic connection.No doubt a result of the intense training when Devyn had been so young and impressionable.As good friends, they were careful not to abuse the connection.
“I wasn’t about to go poking around in case you were working,” Marlene said.
“Fair enough.”Devyn appreciated her friend’s restraint.
Marlene had taught Devyn to see, appreciate, and lean into her abyss visions to build a frame for the source of her psychic talents.But once she gained control, her mentor was careful not to abuse their link, allowing Devyn to search and work without any undue interference.
“I just finished a cup of that restorative tea you sent.It’s a delicious blend.Thanks again.”
Marlene laughed.“You thank me every time you make a cup.”
“It’s that good.”A vision of her friend filled her mind.She wore a kimono this morning in a strong teal color and her strawberry blond hair—streaked generously with silver—was loose around her shoulders.“How are you feeling?”Marlene had been fighting a cold for the past few days.
“It’s too early in the day to ask me that,” Marlene teased.“Seriously, I’m on the mend.”
“Good.”
“Would you be willing to come and visit for a few days?”
Devyn’s first reaction was to decline.Marlene lived in Chicago and Devyn’s recent visits had been far too eventful.But something in the query tickled the nape of her neck.Marlene needed something more than a friend to join her for a spa day or a shopping trip.
“Of course.What can I bring?”
“Just yourself,” Marlene replied.“And the book you’re reading.Once you’ve finished it, bring it with you.”
“Happy to.”She traced the edges of the hardback book on her counter.It was an adventure-thriller featuring a married couple whose daring explorations solved mysteries.
“Love you, love you,” Marlene said, in her familiar pattern.
“Love you back,” Devyn replied as they ended the call.
With no pressing cases or client calls and the entire day ahead, she brewed another cup of tea and carried her book back to the porch.
